Intel issues updates to protect systems from security exploits

Intel says it’s developed and is rapidly issuing updates for all types of Intel-based computer systems — including personal computers and servers — that render those systems immune from both exploits (referred to as “Spectre” and “Meltdown”) reported by Google Project Zero. 

Intel says it’s already issued updates for the majority of processor products introduced within the past five years. By the end of next week, the company expects to have issued updates for more than 90% of processor products introduced within the past five years. In addition, many operating system vendors, public cloud service providers, device manufacturers and others have indicated that they have already updated their products and services.

Intel says it thinks that the performance impact of these updates is highly workload-dependent and, for the average computer user, “should not be significant and will be mitigated over time.” While on some discrete workloads the performance impact from the software updates may initially be higher, additional post-deployment identification, testing and improvement of the software updates should mitigate that impact, the company says.

System updates are made available by system manufacturers, operating system providers and others. For information and links to resources, visit the security research findings page on Intel.com.